Named for Hugh Williamson M.D.
Dr. Williamson was an American politician who is best known for representing North Carolina at the Constitutional Convention. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence as well as one of the original trustees of the University of North Carolina. He was born on Oterara Creek, in West Nottingham Township, Pa., on December 5, 1735 and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 1757. He studied theology, and was licensed to preach in 1758 however had to resign because of ill health in 1760. He was a professor of mathematics in the College of Philadelphia and then studied medicine in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Utrecht, Holland. He returned to Philadelphia where he practiced medicine and engaged in business. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society as well as a member of the commission to observe the transits of Venus and Mercury in 1773. At the time of the “Boston Tea Party” he was examined in England by the privy council. He returned to America in 1776 and settled in Edenton, N.C. where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. During the Revolutionary War he was surgeon general of the North Carolina troops from 1779-1782.
He was a member of the State house of commons in 1782 and 1785 and a member of the Continental Congress 1782-1785, and 1788 He was a delegate to the Federal Convention in 1787 and a member of the State ratification convention in 1789. Dr. Williamson was elected as a Federalist to the First and Second Congresses and served from March 19, 1790, until March 3, 1793. He moved to New York City in 1793 and engaged extensively in literary pursuits until his death in New York City, May 22, 1819.
His commitment to his patients displayed during the revolutionary war and his political awareness are traits we hope to nurture in our students. For a more in depth history of Dr. Williamson, please refer to this article written by one of our faculty, Dr. George Sheldon. http://www.springerlink.com/content/k136k281320t8735/fulltext.html
References:
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000551
